NEW: Gomez Mounts Fundraising Push Ahead of Campaign Kickoff

Cohasset businessman and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez is trying to bring in campaign contributions from supporters ahead of his official campaign kickoff in Boston on Feb. 28.

"I’m running to serve, and I mean that in the old fashioned patriotic sense of the word," the Republican said in an email to supporters on Tuesday. "I’m not a politician, and I’ll have a very different kind of campaign. I am looking forward to joining this fight with you to put Massachusetts and our country back on the right track."

If Gomez can get past fellow Republicans Dan Winslow, Sean Bielat and Michael Sullivan, he'll still face a Democratic opponent that could have upwards of a $3 million head start on him in the form of U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, or Congressman Stephen Lynch, who had roughly three-quarters of a million dollars in his own campaign coffers.

"One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my life is the value of teamwork," Gomez said in the email. "It is in that spirit that I ask you to join me in this campaign. If you don’t have time to help, please consider making a contribution to support my campaign."

The campaign is inviting anyone who donates $50 or more to the campaign kickoff event at the Boston Marriott Newton next Thursday.

"I ask you to consider my training and service – U.S. Naval Academy, Navy aircraft carrier pilot, Navy SEAL, and a successful private sector business career. Washington clearly needs some new ideas from folks who value service above self," Gomez said. "Our country is better than its politics. Let’s fix it together."